Chapter 1: Eudemonia

When I was a little girl, my mother loved to read me, my brothers, and sometimes Miss Marlee's children stories about heroic princesses and princes who saved the world. My favorite story however was about neither of those things. My favorite story was about a bird.

Once upon a time there a bird who was prideful because he could fly and the other animals could not. He would fly in the air above the animals and show off his magnificence. One day, the bird came across a beautiful fish that had jumped out of the sea. The bird boasted to the fish that he had seen the whole world. The fish was smart and had heard about this prideful bird. So, the fish asked the bird if he'd been to Eudemonia. The bird said that he had been everywhere. The fish told the bird that she had gone to Eudemonia. The bird laughed. Fish could jump, but couldn't fly. It wasn't possible. The fish simply said, 'I'll show you.' The fish jumped on the bird's back and together they travelled the world. One day when the fish and the bird were on the peak of a mountain. The bird asked, 'Have we been to Eudemonia?' The fish kissed the bird and then the bird knew. He was home. He had found Eudemonia.

...

The garden vigil was solemn.

I thought it would help, but I felt like I was suffocating in the apologies and sympathy. I grabbed another wine glass from the waiter and drank it down. I turned and nearly ran into Hale.

"Your highness."

I bowed my head acknowledgement.

"Are you okay?"

I sighed. I really didn't feel like giving him an answer, but I simply said, "I'm fine."

I could tell that wasn't the answer he was looking for, but I didn't care. I thought I could do this, but the worry for my parents had taken up every single thought I had. I had no more room for thoughts about the selected. I turned away and walked to the dessert table.

I saw Henri immediately. He was tasting all the parfaits. Erik was right behind him probably commenting on the food. Seeing Henri and Erik had a calming effect on me, I decided to walk over to them.

Before I could reach the table, though, I heard the unmistakable sound of my name being whispered. I turned to my left and found two parliament assistant members whispering about me. I glanced from side to side to check if anybody would see me before sitting down a table over from them. I wanted to know why they were talking about me. I tried to listen in without being conspicuous.

"-if she takes the throne. Can you imagine?"

"She's so harsh. You know she kind of reminds me of King Clarkson. I wouldn't be surprised if she brought back the castes!"

"Yes, she doesn't have the grace of Queen Amberly or the kindness of Queen America."

"I pray Queen America makes it through and that she and King Maxon will continue to rule. God help us all if Eadlyn takes the crown-"

I couldn't listen anymore. Was I really so horrible that they would talk about me so? Was everyone right?

Was I the reason for the the uprisings in Illiea? Was I the reason why some people wanted to abolish the Illean monarchy? My thoughts were flashing a mile a minute. I ran to a waiter and was going to grab a glass of wine, but then I saw the bottle and thought, what the hell.

...

I don't remember how I got here at all. I was at the edge of the garden, right next to the sunflower field that bordered the woods. I smiled as I took another swig of my drink. I loved playing in the sunflowers. But I took one step and then the earth wobbled at my feet. I took another step and then the ground came rushing at me. The ground was so mean.

I think I fell into the fluffiest pillows ever. I closed my eyes and smiled. I was so comfortable. Maybe I should look for pictures in the clouds like I used to with Ahren? I suddenly felt sad. Oh, well. Clouds.

I opened my eyes only to find not clouds, but blue eyes staring down at me. Blue like the ocean. No, blue like the sky. I giggled.

Kile sighed.

"Isn't it a little early to be drinking so much princess?"

"Nope." I popped the p and smiled up at him.

He merely shook his head and moved to sit on the grass next to me. We were both surrounded by sunflowers now.

"How did you find me?" I asked.

He looked down. "I saw you grab the entire wine bottle and run off to the garden. I followed you. I just wanted to make sure you were okay."

I huffed and glared at him. "I'm fine. I don't need boys to run after me and save me. I can take care of myself."

He gave me a grim look. "There are hundreds of cameras buzzing around here, Eady. If one of them catches you like this, then it's all over."

That was when it hit me how stupid I was being. How could I have let this happen? I felt wetness on my cheeks. Was I crying? I turned my head to the grass in shame.

"I'm so stupid."

I felt a gentle caress on my cheek, gently wiping away my tears.

"Eady you aren't stupid. I used to think so..."

Despite my best efforts, laughter crept out of my lips. He grinned and I watched his eyes soften. "But I know you. You love your family so deeply, anyone can see that. It's okay to cry and be weak once and a while."

His thumb lightly stroked my cheek.

"You don't have to be strong all the time."

I looked up at him. His eyes held mine and I was moved by the truth and sincerity I found behind them. His eyes really were beautiful. I looked away. "It's too late. The cameras, they'll find me soon. I can't escape them."

I watched Kile's eyes dart around us looking for any cameramen or bystanders.

"We should go."

I couldn't help but roll my eyes. "Where?"

He rolled his eyes right back at me. "To Eudemonia."

The answer was so stupid. I started laughing or crying or both. He remembered.

He smirked that unbelievably charming crooked smirk of his.

"I know the palace like the back of my hand and I also know that there's a hidden passage behind that wall not too far from here." I looked up at where he pointed. Even I didn't know there was a passage there.

He extended his hand out to me.

"C'mon, let's get you out of here."

I held his gaze. I hesitated only for a moment before placing my hand in his. I trusted Kile, probably more than anyone else in the selection. He placed one arm under my legs and one behind my back. Then all I could feel was air as his strong arms picked me up.

...

AN: Eudemonia translates to Happiness in Greek.